Arrival in Uganda – Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
Airport to Entebbe/Kampala hotels ~30–45 minutes
Your Uganda safari adventure begins as your flight descends over Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake, to Entebbe International Airport. Entebbe, a leafy lakeside town 37 kilometres from Kampala, was Uganda's capital during the colonial era and retains a relaxed, garden-town atmosphere quite different from the bustling city. Depending on your arrival time, your guide will meet you in arrivals and transfer you to your hotel or lodge. The lakeshore setting means you may already spot African fish eagles circling overhead — Uganda boasts over 1,060 recorded bird species, more than any other African country.
Settle into your accommodation and, if time allows, explore the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, established in 1898 on the shores of Lake Victoria. Hippos laze in the shallow inlets, red-tailed monkeys swing through the forest canopy, and over 200 bird species have been recorded within the grounds. Alternatively, visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), home to rehabilitated cheetahs, lions, and shoebill storks. For those connecting onwards to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, afternoon flights or road transfers depart from Entebbe, offering spectacular aerial views of the Rift Valley lakes.
A welcome dinner at your hotel introduces Uganda's rich cuisine — rolex wraps (eggs and vegetables in chapati), matoke (steamed plantain), and fresh Nile perch from Lake Victoria. Your guide provides a briefing on the safari ahead and answers questions about gorilla trekking permits, park rules, and what to pack.
